Lighting fixture for elongated tubular lamps



Nov. 6, 1951 V W. P. CROCKETT, JR LIGHTING FIXTURE FOR ELONGATED TUBULAR LAMPS Filed Nov. 29, 1948 fnveni ar: CroakeZi J.

Patented Nov. 6, 1951 UNITED STATES PATEN OFFICE 2,514,019.,1 LIGHTING FIXTURE FOR ELONGATED TUBULAR LAlVIPS William P. Crockett, Jr., Chicago, 111. Application November 29, 1948, Serial No. 62,477

This invention relates and particularly to a fixture for fluorescent lights.

Ingeneral, a fluorescent light'fixture is known as a strip, which includes an elongated recto a lighting fixture,

tangularly shaped box which is adapted to enclose and support what isknown as the ballast, support the sockets for the light tube, and other appurtenances.

Heretofore, the strip box has been made by cumbersome and expensive methods which ineluded cutting material to accurate dimensions, shaping the pieces in a break, and spot welding adjoining elements.

An object-therefore of the present invention is the provision of a fluorescent strip box in which ture were necessarily assembled before the fixture was mounted, with the result that the assembledfixture became unwieldy.

'-A further object of the present invention is the provision of a fixture which by reason of its novel construction, the parts may be mounted and assembled ina succession of steps, whereby its installation becomes only a one-man job.

Astill further object is the provision of a fixture of the nature described in. which the sockets'for the light tubes are positioned flush with the e'ndof the" strip box, so that when a series 'of' boxes are disposed in end toend abutting relationship the light tubes form acontinuous unbroken string; i T With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of thevariousparts of my'device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed ;out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional devicecf; the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the device shown in Figure 1', part ofthe cover being broken away;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on'line 3-3 of Figurely" Figure ,4 is: an exploded view of a portion of the strip box and the attachments used in conmotion-therewith; 1

view of the 6 Claims. (01. 240 51.11)

--Figure-5 is a view taken on line 5-5 of Figure4; Figure 6 Ba view taken on line 6-6 of Figured; and- Figure '7 is a top view of one-end of the cover forthe strip box. Rferring in-detail to the drawings, the device is shown in Figure 1 as it would be viewed when handled by a person. However, when the device is attached to a ceiling it would be in inverted position and the interpretation of the following description-may be made accordingly. The device may be mounted 'ona ceiling as mentioned above and, of-course, it may be mounted on a wall'or anyother surface as its final position wo'uldbe oriented according to the surface on which it is mounted.

The device includes what is known as a fluorescent strip box IZ'WhiCh is inthe shape of an elongated' rectangular box. The strip box [2 includes a floor portion [4, side walls [6, and end walls- 18. The side and end walls are formed integral with the floor It in a manner to be presently described. The end walls [8 have bentover portions 26 which abut against the inner surface of the ends of the adjacent side walls 16'." The upper end of each overlapping portion 20 is provided with anotch 22 and a lug 24 is formed on each end of each side wall l6 and is bent over and clamped in the respective notch 22. The side and endwalls are thus held in upright rigid position with respect to the floor. Formed integral with each end wall I8 is a pair of laterally spaced tongues 26 extending inwardly from the end walls acrossthe open side of the box which, of course, is opposite the floor 14. The tongues 26 have a peculiar shape as evidenced in Figures 4 and 5'following the contour of the upper marginal edges of the end walls. The tongues 26 of each pair have horizontal portions 28 directed toward each other. The floor [4 of the strip box has a portion embossed as indicated at 36, extending toward the open side ofthe box. The embossed portion 30 is provided with stamped holes 32 for receiving threaded metal screws. The .numeral 34 represents knock-out portions which are formed in the various elements of the box in the usual manner. The knock-out portions 34 are severed from the material of the box nearly completely around their periphery, being held in place only by a small dimension connecting piece. Holes 36 are stamped in the floor I3 for securing the box to a supporting surface.

As stated in the introduction, one of the most important objects of the invention is the prou vision of a fluorescent strip box which can be fabricated by punch press operations. Metal strip of the desired width is obtained in rolls and cut to the desired length by a stamping or punch press operation. The segment thus cut off is also in the same operation cut in outlined form 'to the shape having the desired elements to'make up the completed box. In the next step the side andend walls'are turned upwardly and this may also be done by a punch press operation. Finally, the lugs 24 are turnedin and clamped in the position shown in Figures;

2 and 4.

From the above it will be seen that an economi cal box structure is accomplished-byiiieans"of simple punch press operationsand I wish to-point out its contrast with previous known types of boxes used for fluorescent lighting. Previously;- strips were measured accurately to the proper dimensions, then placed in a break and finally the elements making up the box were spot welded together. Such procedure, it will be readily recognized by those skilled in the art-{results in an expensive article.-

Sockets for supporting the light-tube are indicated-at38. Onesuch socket is mounted at each end'of the strip box and each socket includes a lower block portion) and an upstanding portion 42 which is adapted to receive one end of the light tube indicated at 44. The upper end of the portion 42 is provided with a socket-opening 46 having an open channel 48 and studs 50. Spring contacts 52 are arranged on opposite sides of the studsEZ. The light tube 44 is provided with a'pair of prongs which can be inserted through the channel'48 andare finally positioned oneabove and ne below the studs 56. The tube i then-rotated bearing against the contacts 52 and spreading them apart so that the contacts are biased inwardly against'the prongs in the light-tube.v The contacts'52 extend down through the interior of the socket where they are provided with connector means 54, such as screws for securing light wires thereto. The front verticalsurface of the block portion is provided with-avertieal slot 56 and intermediate the ends of the 'slot56' is a horizontal'slot 58.

The means for securing the sockets 38 in position include clampmembers 69 and 62. The clamp member Eli (Figures 1 and 4) includes a pair-of laterally spacedhorizontal legs 64 and a lower shorter horizontal leg 66 interconnected by a web portion68. The legs 64 and 66 are provided with tapped holes so as to receive a screw It. The web portion- 68 extends downwardly below the lower leg 66 and isprovidedwith'outturned horizontal lugs 12 to'which-is secured a starter socket T4. The starter socket-l4 is provided with a socket opening 78 in the bottom of which area pair of bayonetslots 18 in which are mounted contact elements. The contact elements are connected with connector elements such as indicated at 80 for connection with light wires.-

The'clamp" member 62- is similar to theclamp member 56 except that the extension of the web fit andthe lugs 'l2'are omitted.

Figure 4 shows to best advantage the method and means by which'the'sock'et 38 is mounted.

- 4 namely the clamp and the socket, are fitted on the pair of tongues 26 so that the upper legs 64 engage the portions 28 of the tongues 26 and the block portion 40 of the socket engages the undersurface of the tongues. The screw it is then turned down and the socket and clamp are both held securely by friction on the tongues 26. It should" be noted here that the socket 38 abuts against the inner surfaceof'the end wall so that the socket may be considered flush with the end of the strip box. The socket and the clamp B2 'in-the: opposite end are mounted in place in the which is formed by'a punch press operation. The.

covert-of course, follow the contour of the upper edge of the end walls [8. Each end of the cover 32 is" provided with a cut out portion 1 8!: in Whichisakslot'86 disposed centrally of the cover and opening outwardly. The cover is alsoyproe vided-witha holeg' eil; together with other holes or knock cuts 90 for securemen't of the louvre thereto. The hole 881s disposed in register with thestarte'r socket 14 so that a starter 92- can be inserted-into the'starter'socket. The starter 92 has convenional prongs for fitting into the bayonetslots 18 and contacting the contacts therein.

The reference numeral'94'represents diagrammatically whatis known as ballast which includes a transformer and other appurtenancescommon to fluorescent lighting. The ballast 94-is positionedo'n the embossed-portion 30 'andheld in place by meta-l screws 96'which are threaded into the holes-32; The-embossed portion-and the holes therein enable the ballast to 'be applied after the boxis secured to-the ceiling. Nuts cannot be applied when the box is in position, but this'is rendered unnecessary since the holes are effec tive' for holding the screws. It-will be noted that the'screws do-notextend any farther than the plane of the main portion of the floor.

In --addit-ion to the economy in manufacturing due to' the novelstructure of the device, there is also another greatly advantageous feature. This feature resides in the fact that the device can be easily and readily installed by a'single Workman; In installing the device the emptystrip box, stripped of all the appliances'na-mely,the

cover, sockets and clamps and the ballast, is applied tothe intended supporting surface; for example, the ceiling, and secured thereto such a'sby means'of screws insertedthr'ough theholes 36 in the floor I4: The box itself'is light and the Workman can easily hold it with one'hand and secure 'it in positionwith the other hand. Next, the ballast 94 is secured in position: This also'can" easily be done by one'person. Next, the sockets 38 are put into position and clamped asdescr'ibed above. In the assembling-operation the screws 10 arenottightened down at this point. Thenext step is to apply the cover 82. This" can easily be done by sliding the slot or notch 86 over the screw lll'on one endand without then tightening down"thescrew the other end is fitted in place. In the case of the" opposite end} I the screw 10' is not yet in place and after the-cover is s'ea'ted the" screw is turned in" and tightened. Then the screw'lll in the first' e'nd is tightened. The cover 82 and the sockets 38 are"tlienall tightened in final position.

After the fore'goi'ng'has beerifdone the 's't'aiter 92 is inserted through the hole end then into the starter-socket; Thereafter,;the light tube 44 is inserted in place. 7

Fluorescent strips such as the final assembly just described, as known, may be placed end to endto form a long lighting fixture. In such a case the sockets 38 in successive strips arein substantial abutting relationship with theefiect that the light tubes in successive strips form a continuous string. Q

v While I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention,'mani festly it is susceptible of modification and rearrangement of the parts without department from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not therefore wish to be understood as limiting my invention to the precise form herein disclosed, except as I may be so limited by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the character described, a box having a fioor, side walls, end walls, and an open side opposite the fioor, each end wall having a pair of laterally spaced tongues extending over the open side, a socket associated with each pair of tongues, each socket having a portion positioned between the respective tongues, whereby each socket is slidable with respect to the tongues into engagement with the end wall, each socket having a portion extending from the box from the open side thereof, each socket having a block portion extending inwardly from its end wall in vertical register with a portion of the tongues, said block portion having a vertical groove in its inner surface, and clamp means for each socket, each clamp means having vertically spaced fingers adapted to fit over and engage said block portion and said tongues, and screw means interconnecting said fingers for forcin the fingers toward each other and thereby clamping the sockets to the respective pairs of tongues, said screw means being fitted in said groove.

2. In a device of the character described, a

box having a floor, side walls, end walls, and an open side opposite the floor, each end wall having a pair of laterally spaced tongues extending over the open side, a socket associated with each pair of tongues, each socket having a first portion positioned between the respective tongues and extending from the open side of the box, whereby each socket is slidable with respect to the tongues, each socket having a second portion of greater width than the spacing between said tongues, said second portion extending inwardly into the box from the open side of said box, said second portion being in register with a portion of the tongues, whereby movement of the socket outwardly from the box is restricted, and spaced clamping members engaging the second portion of said socket and said tongues for securing the socket to the tongues.

3. In a device of the character described, a box having a floor, side walls, end walls, and an open side opposite the floor, each end wall having a pair of laterally spaced tongues extending over the open side, a socket associated with each pair of tongues, each socket having a first portion positioned between the respective tongues and extending from the open side of the box, whereby each socket is slidable with respect to the tongues, each socket having a second portion of greater width than the spacing between said tongues, said second portion extending inwardly into the box from the open side of said box, said second portion being in register with a portion of the wardly from the box is restricted, a bracket associated with each socket and having a first por-. tion engaging the pair of tongues and a second portion engaging said second portion, of the;

socket, a securing member cooperating between the two said portions of the bracket to clamp the socket and the tongues together, and one of said brackets having a lug affixed thereto, andv a starter socket mounted on said lug..

4. In a device of the character described, a box having a fioor, side walls, end walls, and an open side opposite the floor, each end wall having a pair of laterally spaced tongues extending over the open side, a socket associated with each pair of tongues, each socket having a first portion positioned between the respective tongues and extending from the open side of the box, whereby each socket is slidable with respect to the tongues, each socket having a second portion of greater width than the spacing between said tongues,

'said second portion extending inwardly into the box from the open side of said box, saidsecond portion being in register with a portion of the tongues, whereby movement of the socket outwardly from the box is restricted, a removable bracket associated with each socket and having two portions, one bracket portion engaging the second portion of the socket and the second bracket portion engaging the respective tongues, a securing member for biasing said portions of each bracket toward each other to clamp the second portion of the socket and the tongues together, and a cover for fitting over the open side of the box, said covering having an opening at each end adapted to receive respective ones of said securing members, said securing members being adapted to secure the cover to the box.

5. In a device of the character described, a box having a floor, side walls, end walls, and an open side opposite the floor, each end wall having a pair of laterally spaced tongues extending over the open side, a socket associated with each pair of tongues, each socket having a first portion positioned between the respective tongues and extending from the open side of the box, whereby each socket is slidable with respect to the tongues, each socket having a second portion of greater width than the spacing between said tongues, said second portion extending inwardly into the box from the open side of said box, said second portion being in register with a portion of the tongues, whereby movement of the socket outwardly from the box is restricted, a removable bracket associated with each socket and having a pair of clamping fingers engaging the tongues and the second portion of said socket, the tongues being disposed between one of said clamping fingers and the second portion of said socket, and a securing member biasing said clamping fingers of each bracket toward each other to clamp the second portion of the socket and the respective pair of tongues together.

6. In a device of the character described, a box having a fioor, side walls, end walls, and an open side opposite the fioor, each end wall having a pair of laterally spaced tongues extending over the open side, a socket associated with each pair of tongues, each socket having a first portion positioned between the respective tongues and extending from the open side of the box, whereby each socket is slidable with respect to the tongues, each socket having a second portion of greater width than the spacing between said tongues, said second portion extending inwardly Erackt associated with each" sdck'et and having a first-portion enga'g'mgthe pair Of tongues" and iportion 'r'lgagi'rigsaiid s-econdmruon of the socket; and a scfuring' ih'enib'r codiieratingximw n swxms mmms Number Man. 1944- 

